Molding apparatus with article transfer and ejecting means

ABSTRACT

Article transfer apparatus for cyclically transferring articles from an article forming machine, such as a plastic injection molding machine, to an adjacent article receiving chute or conveyor system. The transfer apparatus is mechanically linked to and driven by relative movement of platens on the forming machine to positively interlock the forming and transfer mechanisms against interference with each other. A control system operated by mechanical elements of the transfer system is employed to control the application of pressure or vacuum to article handling elements of the system at appropriate points in the cycle to enable the elements to grip, release or convey the article being handled.

United States Patent 11 1 Potter et a1.

[ Oct. 23, 1973 MOLDING APPARATUS WITH ARTICLE TRANSFER AND EJECTINGMEANS Terry C. Potter, Sylvania; Roger R. Rhoads, Toledo, OhioOwens-Illinois lnc., Toledo, Ohio June 21, 1971 Inventors:

Assignee:

Filed:

Appl. No.:

U.S. c1....- 425/157, 425/437, 214/85 D,

2l4/8.5 E, 294/64 R B29c 3/06 425/15 7 p o 9,

1111. C1. s tgar hi-a 425/437; 214/85 D, 8.5 E, 650 86; 294/64References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1963 Wood 425/D1G. 60 3/1966Scalora 425/437 3,410,931 11/1968 Johnson 425/126 X PrimaryExaminer-Robert L. Spicer, Jr.

Attorney-J. R. Nelson et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT Article transfer apparatus for cyclically transferringarticles from an article forming machine, such as a plastic injectionmolding machine, to an adjacent article receiving chute or conveyorsystem. The transfer apparatus is mechanically linked to and driven byrelative movement of platens on the forming machine to positivelyinterlock the forming and transfer mechanisms against interference witheach other. A control system operated by mechanical elements of thetransfer system is employed to control the application of pressure orvacuum to article handling elements of the system at appropriate pointsin the cycle to enable the elements to grip, release or convey thearticle being handled.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAIENIEBnms ms 3.767.342

SHEET 10F 5 INVENTORS ROGER R. RHOADS TERRY C. POTTER MZJWMJ A TTORNEYSPATENTEDncrza ms 3.767.342 SHEET 2 OF 5 INVENTORS ROGER R. RHOADS TERRYC. POTTER lgzmlw MA ATTORNEYS PATENTEUBU 2 3 I973 SHEET 30F 5 VAC!SOURCE INVENTORS ROGER R RHOAOS TERRY 6. POTTER ATTORNEYS PAIENIEMCI23ma 3.76T,342

SHEET 5 OF 5 cuP cup pnsssuns/ SHUT VACUUM [-2] 252" 204 SOURCE I I 202f 1 Y 7 6'6 PRESSURE g I SOURCE SUCK E R ROD /-4 PV VALVE VACUUMPRESSURE-"I VACUUM V5 SUCKER R00 E l /-2 SHUT OFF ops/v I OPE/V VALVEMOLD CLOSE MOL D OPEN MOLDING APPARATUS WITH ARTICLE TRANSFER ANDEJECTING MEANS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present inventionrelates to certain improvements in a part removal apparatus which formsthe subject matter of a commonly owned co-pending application of Paul R.Guest et al, Ser. No. 135,926 filed Apr. 21, 1971, this latterapplication being a continuation in part of a commonly owned Guest et alapplication Ser. No. 846,087, filed July 30, 1969, now abandoned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Although capable of employment in many otherenvironments, the transfer apparatus of the present invention wasspecifically designed for the purpose of removing molded articles froman injection molding machine and feeding the articles in an orientedposition into the inlet end of a conveying system through which theparts are fed to an assembly station. The molded article handled by thepresent system is a cup shaped plastic base element whose ultimate useis that of the supporting'element of a composite container of the typedisclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,372,826.

Although specifically designed for use in the foregoing environment, theinvention is applicable to many types of article forming machines inwhich, as in an injection molding machine, a pair of article formingplatens are mounted for movement relative to each other between a closedarticle-forming position and an open article-releasing or ejectingposition. In the present invention, the relative movement which occursbetween the two platens while opening and closing is employed to drive apart handling cup or holder downwardly between the opening platens togrip or grasp the freshly formed part and to carry the part clear of theplatens by the closing movement of the platens. A mechanical drivearrangement is employed to positively interlock motion of the partholding cup with that of the platens.

While the platens are closed during the next article forming cycle, theparts are transferred from the cup into a pneumatic chute through whichthe parts are blown into the inlet end of a stationary pneumaticconveyor which feeds the received parts along their path toward theassembly station. The transfer of the parts from the cup to the chuteand thence to the receiving conveyor is performed while the platens areclosed during the article forming cycle. Because the article formingcycle will normally require some time to complete, the major portion ofthe time required for the part transfer cycle is overlapped with thetime required to form the next article. 7 v

.In the specific embodiment to be described below,- the parts beinghandled are of relatively light weight, and a pressure-vacuum system isoperatively connected to supply vacuum or pressure to the part holdingcup to respectively grip or eject the part. The cup is constructed tosealingly engage a surface of the part at the mouth of the cup, and thusthe application of pressure or vacuum to the interior of the cupprovides a convenient method of handling the part.

A control system operated by the relative position of the platens orother mechanical elements of the apparatus is employed to supplypressure or vacuum at appropriate points in the cycle to the cup and tocontrol the operation of a set of sucker rods which assist in thetransfer of the part from the cup to the interior of the pneumaticchute.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent byreference to the following specification and to the drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of thepresent invention shown as being applied to an automatic injectionmolding machine;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 takenapproximately on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed cross sectional view taken approximately on line 33of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail plan view showing the relationship of the partholding cups to the pneumatic chute at the time the parts are ready tobe transferred into the chutes;

FIG. 5 is a detail cross sectional view of a portion of the sucker rodassembly;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an electrical control circuit employedin the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the pressurevacuum system employed withthe apparatus; and

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram illustrating an operating cycle of theapparatus.

Referring first to FIGS. l-5, one form of mechanism embodying thepresent invention is disclosed as being used in conjunction with anautomatic injection mold employed to cyclically form plastic cup shapedbase element components for subsequent assembly into the compositecontainer of US. Pat. No. 3,372,826. The molding machine, shown mostclearly in FIG. 1, is des-' ignated generally 20 and is of a well knowncommercially available construction. Only portions of the machine 20necessary for an understanding of the present invention have beenillustrated, these elements including a stationary platen 22 fixedlymounted upon a machine frame 24 and a movable platen 26. Platen 26 issupported for reciprocatory movement by four or more guide rods 28mounted in machine frame 24 and is driven in cyclic reciprocatorymovement by an automatically operable drive mechanism schematicallyillustrated at 30. Platens 22 and 26 carry mating mold halves M1, M2constructed in accordance with the article or part which is to beformed. In the embodiment disclosed, movable platen 26 carries the maleor core portion 32 of the mold, which forms the interior surfaces of thecup shaped part P while mating cavities,

not shown, which form the exterior surfaces of part P are carried in themold half mounted on stationary platen 22. Mold half Ml also includesejector pins 34 mounted within cores 32 for partially ejecting theformed parts P from the cores as the mold halves reach their fullyopened position, shown in FIG. 1. The mold disclosed in this applicationis arranged to simultaneously produce four base elements P, theindividual molds having their center lines located on the corners of asquare in the pattern best shown in FIG. 2.

. The transfer apparatus includes a carriage designated generally 40which is mounted on a pair of support rails 42 fixedly supported uponframe 24 and extending horizontally above the platens in a directionparallel to the direction of movement of movable platen 26. With certainexceptions described in detail below, carriage 40 is quite similar tostructure disclosed in the aforementioned Guest et al. application Ser.No. 135,926 and these common structural details will be described onlygenerally here. For further details of the carriage structure, referencemay be had to the aforementioned Guest et al. application Ser. No.135,926.

Carriage 40 includes a pair of side frame members 44 which lie invertical planes immediately inside of support rails 42 and which arerigidly interconnected to each other by suitable cross frame members.Suitably located rollers 46 engage the upper and lower surfaces ofsupport rail 42 and are rotatably mounted in side frames 44 of thecarriage to support the carriage for movement along rails 42. Alsorotatably journaled in each of side frame members 44 is a pinion gear 48which is meshed with a gear rack section 50 fixedly mounted upon eachrail 42. As best seen in FIG. 2, pinions 48 are mounted at the oppositeends of a main shaft 52 which is rotatably journaled in the respectiveside frame members 44. At the inner side of each frame member 44, arelatively large second pinion 54 is fixedly secured to shaft 52.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 2, a ladder-like vertical rackassembly designated generally 56 is mounted upon the carriage forvertical reciprocation between the carriage side frame members 44. Rackassembly 56 includes a pair of vertical rack members 58 whose teeth aremeshed with the respective larger pinion gears 54 and which aresupported and guided in movement upon the carriage by support rollers 60and 62 which respectively engage the toothed and smooth sides of rackmembers 58. At their lower ends, rack members 58 are interconnected by acup holder frame 64 which supports four part holding cups 66 arranged ina pattern corresponding to that of the four individual molds. Each ofcups 66 is conformed in shape to the outer surface of the part P andbranch conduits 68 connect the bottom of the interior of each cup 66 toa main supply conduit 70 through which pressure or vacuum may beselectively supplied to the interior of the cup. A rigid cross member 72is secured between the upper ends of each of rack members 58.

Carriage 40 is normally locked by structure including a pneumatic motor73 to movable platen 26 for movement back and forth with the platen.Motor 73 and other structures described in detail in the aforementionedGuest et al. application Ser. No. 135,926 may be actuated to unlockcarriage 40 from platen 26 and lock the carriage to the fixed frame.When locked to platen 26 movement -of platen 26 drives carriage 40,thereby causing stationary racks 50 to drive the outer pinions 48 andthe consequent rotation of inner pinions 54 driving rack assembly 56upwardly on closing movement of the platen and downwardly during openingmovement of the platens. Movement of vertical rack assembly 56 isinterlocked with that of the platens so that when the platens are intheir fully opened position, shown in FIG. 1, the four part holding cups66 are located in adjacent axial alignment with the four freshlyproduced parts, which, at this time, have been partially ejected clearof their core pins. As will be described in greater detail below, atthis time vacuum is supplied via the conduits 70, 68 to the interior ofcups 66 to suck the parts P clear of the cores into the cups and toretain the parts within cups 66 during the subsequent elevating of rackassembly 56 as the platens are driven back to their closed position.

When the platens are in their closed position, the cups 66 have beenelevated and moved to the right from the full line position shown inFIG. 1 to a broken line position shown in FIG. 1, at which time the cupsand parts held therein are in adjacent opposed alignment with a pair oftransfer chutes 74. As best seen in FIG. 2, transfer chutes 74 arelocated one above the other and are formed, on the side facing cups 66,with circular part receiving openings 76 through which the parts may betransferred from cups 66 into the interior of chutes 74. An air supplymanifold 78 is connected to the left hand end of chutes 74 to blow airthrough the chutes in a direction from left to right as viewed in FIG. 2to blow the parts from chutes 74 through a common discharge opening 80into the receiving end of a stationary pneumatic conveyor 82 locatedadjacent the molding machine. As best seen in FIG. 2, chutes 74 mergeinto a single chute at their right hand end. As will be described ingreater detail below, the parts are discharged from the lower and upperchutes 74 sequentially, a blocking pin 84 being inserted into the upperchute temporarily to restrain the parts in the upper chute from enteringinto the merged section until after the parts conveyed by the lowerchute 74 have been discharged into receiving conveyor 82. Pin 84 iscarried on the piston 86 of a pneumatic motor 88, piston 86 beingnormally spring biased to a position where pin 84 is clear of the chuteby a biasing spring 90.

With the exception of the fact that four parts P are formedsimultaneously by the molding machine and the consequent fact that dualdischarge chutes 74 are employed, the structure described thus farcorresponds to that disclosed in the aforementioned Guest et al.application Ser. No. 135,926. The present invention is directedespecially to improvements in the control circuitry for operating thetransfer apparatus and to a sucker rod assembly designated generally 92which is mounted upon and carried by carriage 40 and which is employedto achieve a more positive and efficient transfer of the parts P fromcups 66 into chutes 74.

Referring first to FIG. 1, sucker rod assembly 92 includes a fixed frame94 mounted on carriage 40. A pneumatic motor 96 is mounted upon theframe and its piston rod 98 is coupled to a square plate 100 to eachcorner of which is fixedly secured a sucker rod 102 which extendsparallel to piston rod 98. Each of the sucker rod assemblies whichinclude sucker rod 102 is identical to the others, hence only one willbe described. Each sucker rod is slidably guided within a bushing 1041carried on frame 94.

Referring now to FIG. 5, it is seen that each of sucker rods 102 takesthe form of a hollow tube which carries a resilient suction cup 104 atone end, the interior of cup 104 being in communication with theinterior of sucker rod 102. A sealing bushing 106 in frame 94 supportsthe right hand end of the sucker rod for horizontal reciprocation. Afirst cylindrical section 108 is sealingly secured to the left side ofthe frame plate 94 and a second tubular section 110 is sealinglytelescoped onto section 108 for axial adjustment. The outer end ofcylindrical section 110 is closed by an end plate 112 which slidably andsealingly receives sucker rod 102. A vacuum source is in constantcommunication with the internal chamber 114 cooperatively formed by thetwo cylindrical sections 108 and 110. A bore 116 through the side wallof sucker rod 102 is so located to be clear to the left of end plate 112when the sucker rod is in its fully retracted position shown in FIG. 5.

Returning briefly to FIG. 1, the piston of the sucker rod drive 96 isspring biased to the left as viewed in FIG. 1 to normally locate thesucker rods in the fully retracted position shown in FIG. 1 and 5. Whenair under pressure is supplied via conduit 222 to the rod end of motor96, the piston rod is driven to the right against the action of itsbiasing spring to drive plate 100 and all of the attached sucker rods102 to the right.

Returning now to FIG. 5, it will be seen that as sucker rod 102 moves tothe right, the bore 116 in its sidewall is carried through end plate 112and eventually into the interior of chamber 114, at which time thevacuum existing in chamber 114 passes through bore 116 into the interiorof rod 102. The rod is advanced to the right until its cup 104 comesinto contact with the part P, at which time cup 104 seals itself to partP and the vacuum existing within the interior of rod 102 and cup 104holds the part firmly against the cup. At this time, pressure to thesucker rod motor is vented and the spring biased piston again moves tothe left, carrying the sucker rod to the left from its fully extendedbroken line position shown in FIG. 5. The part continues to be held uponcup 104 and moves 'with the cup back through receiving opening 76 inchute 74. At approximately the time that the part is fully within chute74, opening 116 moves out of chamber 114, passes through cover plate 112and becomes vented, thereby permitting the part to be stripped from cup104 as the cup moves backwardly through the sucker rod opening 118 inchute 74.

Operation of the apparatus is most conveniently described in terms ofthe electrical, pneumatic and vacuum control circuitry.

CONTROL CIRCUITRY A simplified schematic diagram of an electric controlcircuit for the apparatus is shown in FIG. 6. The circuit is mostconveniently described in terms of its operation, and as a startingpoint, it will be assumed that the apparatus is at a point in itsoperating cycle just prior to the opening of the mold halves at a pointin time at which the transferring of the lastgroup of parts has beencompleted.

With the apparatus at the particular stage in its cycle referred toabove, the platens and mold halves are closed and the normallyopen moldclosed limit switch contacts MCLS in branch line B6 of the circuit areheld closed, thus energizing two mold closed relays, MC2 of branch lineB6 and MC of branch line B7. The limit switch which controls contactsMCLS is physically located in the mold drive control 30 and oriented sothat contacts MCLS are closed only when the mold is closed and areopenat all other times.

Referring now to branch lines B9 through B13, at this time contacts MCaof branch line B11 are closed and the sucker rod retract relay RER whichwas energized and locked in during the previous cycle by closure of itslock in contacts RERb is energized, this condition causing the suckerrods 102 to be in their retracted or inactive position shown in FIGS. 1and 5.

During the preceding transfer cycle, the three timing relays RTI, RTZ,RT3 were energized. The three timing relays are of the type where theirvarious controlled contacts delay in shifting from their normal positionshown in the diagram for a preselected time after energization of thecontrolling relay. At this time, contacts RT2a of line D13 are closed tolock in the timing relays in their energized condition, thus at thisparticular moment in time all of the RT contacts of FIG. 6 are in theiroff normal position. Thus, the cup shut off valve 204 is closed due tothe fact that its solenoid 1-2 of branch line B18 is energized by theclosure of contacts RTla. The chute air valve 210 is also in its offposition, its solenoid 22 of branch line B19 being de-energized by theopening of contacts RT3c, although contacts RT2c are closed at thistime.

By virtue of the fact that sucker rod retract relay RER is energized atthis time and the mold is closed, a circuit is completed across branchlines B16 and B17 which respectively energize the carriage-platen lockrelay B2 and the cup supply control relay 1-4, energization of thislatter relay connecting the pressure source through the pressure-vacuumvalve 200, this pressure supply to the cups being blocked at thisv timebecause cup shut off valve 204 is closed.

Operation of the circuit in a normal or automatic mold is established byplacing a selector switch SS in ,the indicated on position. In practice,a single selector switch with the appropriate number of contacts isemployed, however, for convenience and clarity in the diagram the singleswitch SS has been shown as several different switches, and it should beborne in mind that all of the switches SS are mechanically linked inpractice so that all of their contacts are either in the on or offposition simultaneously.

With the apparatus in the condition described above, the next step inthe process is for the mold to open under control of drive 30 toinitiate the part transfer cycle. Opening of the mold immediately opensthe mold closed limit switch contacts MCLS, thereby deenergizing moldclosed relays MC and MC2. This action opens contacts MCa of branch B11,this action having no immediate effect upon the energized timing relaysRTl, RT2, and RT3 because these relays remain energized via contactsRT2a in branch line B13 which are closed at this time. Opening ofcontacts MCa does, however, de-energize sucker rod retract relay RER.Contacts MCb and MCc also open upon the deenergization of relay MC, thusde-energizing the carriage-platen lock relay B2 and cup supply valverelay 1-4. The carriage-platen lock remains closed, however, the cupsupply valve 200 shifts to establish the cup vacuum source connection atvalve 200, however, this supply is blocked from the cups by the cup shutoff valve 204 which remains closed at this time.

As the mold continues to open, cups 66 are driven downwardly towardtheir part receiving position. As the cups approach final alignment withthe parts retained on the mold corepins, a proximity switch 205 (FIG. 1)is actuated to open its controlled contacts MPS inbranch line B13, thusde-energizing and resetting the three timing relays RTl, RTZ and RT3. Atthis time, de-energization of the timing relays causes all of theircontacts to resume the normal position shown in FIG. 6. Opening ofcontacts RTla in branch line B18 de-energizes solenoid 1-2 whichcontrols cup shut off valve 204 and opens this valve so that the vacuumwhich is now being passed through cup supply valve 200 is transmitted tocups 66 as the cups move into alignment with the parts supported on themold core pins.

The parts are transferred to cups 66 and the mold halves begin to close,closing of the mold halves driving the cups upwardly clear of theclosing mold.

As the mold halves return to their closed position, the cups arrive inalignment with part receiving openings 76 of chutes 74. Closing of themold again closes contacts MCLS of branch B6 to energize the mold closedrelays MC and MC2. Energization of relay MC2 closes contacts MC2a inbranch line B8 to energize solenoid VS via normal closed contacts RERa,these latter contacts being closed at this time because relay RER isdeenergized. Relay VS positions the sucker rod motor control valve 218to supply pressure to sucker rod motor 96 to drive sucker rods 102 fromtheir retracted position toward the parts held on cups 66..

Concurrently with the closing of contacts MC2a, contacts MCa in line B11are closed to energize the timing relays RT1, RT2, and RT3 via contactsTORa and the normal closed contacts RT3b. Contacts TORa are controlledby a master relay TOR in branch line Bl. During normal operation of thesystem in the automatic mode, relay TOR is energized at all times by theclosed selector switch contacts in line B1 and normal closed contactsJUL2a which are opened only in the event of a jam in discharge chutes74.

After relay RTl has been energized a preselected period of time, itcloses its contacts RTla in branch line B18 to energize the cup shut offvalve control relay 12. The time setting of relay RTl determines thelength of time during which pressure is supplied to cups 66 to blow theparts clear of the cups onto the extended sucker rods. Initiation of thesupply of air under pressure to the cups is under the control ofcontacts MCc in branch line B17 which are closed concurrently withcontacts MCZa and MCa above and contacts RERc which remain open untilsucker rods 102 reach their fully extended position.

Energization of relay RT2 closes contacts RT2c in branch line B19 tosupply air under pressure to chutes 74, this air supply being employedto blow the parts through the chutes after they have been transfered tothe chutes by the retracting sucker rods.

Timing out of relay RT2 also closes contacts RT2a and RT2b in line B13,contacts RT2a providing a lock in to maintain the three timing relaysenergized upon the subsequent opening of contacts RT3b and contacts RT2dproviding for a delay in the initial energization of relay RT3. RelayRT3 controls the time period during which air under pressure is suppliedto the chutes 74. The chute air, controlled by relay 22 of line-B19 isturned on when relay RT2 times out, timing out of relay RT2 commencingthe energization of timing relay RT3 by closure of contacts RT2b. Whenrelay RT3 times out, it opens contacts RT3c in branch line B19 todeenergize relay 22, thus terminating the supply of air 7 to chutes 74.

Timing out of relay RT3 opens contacts RT3b in branch line B11, howeverthe three relays remain energized via the now closed contacts RT2a ofbranch line B13.

When sucker rods 102 reach their forward limit of movement, limit switchcontacts LSR of branch line B9 are closed to energize the sucker rodretract relay RER. When relay RER is energized, it closes its lock incontacts RERb of branch line B10 to maintain relay RER energized ascontacts LSR are opened by the retraction of sucker rods 102. ContactsRERa are simultaneously opened to deenergize the sucker rod motorcontrol valve VS which shifts positions and conditions the sucker rodmotor 96 to retract the sucker rods, thus carrying the captured partsfrom the cups into the chutes 74.

At the same time, contacts RERc of line B17 are closed to energize thecup supply valve relay l-4, thereby shifting this valve from its vacuumto its pres sure supply position.

The control circuit is now in the initial condition described above andhas completed one cycle.

In order to protect the system in the case of jamming of parts withinchute 74, a jam up control system is constituted by the circuitry ofbranch lines B1-5 inclusive. The basic control element of this system isa jam up relay JUR in line B4 which is energized upon a either of twojam up indicating conditions signalled by the contacts in line B4 orline B5.

In line B4, contacts RT3a, controlled by relay RT3 are in a normal opencondition and close only upon the timing out of relay RT3. Contacts RT3aare in series with a second set of sucker rod control limit switchcontacts LSR2 which are opened only when the sucker rod is retracted toa position beyond that at which it would have carried its parts intochutes 74. Should relay RT3 time out before the sucker rods have beenfully retracted, contacts RT3a will close before the sucker -rodposition control contacts LSR2 are opened, and thus energize jam uprelay JUR. Energization of relay JUR closes contacts JURa of line B3 toenergize jam up latch relays JUL and JUL2, energization of relay JULZopening contacts JUL2a in branch line B] to de-energize the mastercontrol relay. This action opens contacts TORa in branch line B11,thereby prohibiting de-energization of the timing relays during the nextcycle.

Jam up relay JUR can also be energized by the photocell control contactsPC in line B5 which are set for a time delay closure when dark. Shouldthe parts remain in the discharge chute for a time period longer thanthe delayed closure of contacts PC, relay J UR will be energized.

A schematic diagram of the pneumatic circuit which controls the supplyof pressure or vacuum to the various operating element is shown in FIG.7, while in FIG. 8 there is shown a timing diagram indicating thepositions assumed by the various valves of FIG. 7 during the operatingcycle of the apparatus.

In the pneumatic control diagram of FIG. 7, the various valves are allshown in the position which they assume when their respective actuatingsolenoids are deenergized, in which case the valves are spring biased tothe indicated position. Cup pressure-vacuum valve 200 is provided withtwo inlets, V and P connected respectively to a vacuum source and to apressure source. Valve 200 has a single outlet 202 which is connected tothe single inlet of cup shut off valve 204 whose outlet conduit 206 ismanifold connected to the four part receiving cups 66 of the transfermechanism. As indicated in the diagram, when the actuating solenoid l-4of cup pressure-vacuum valve 200 is de-energized, the connections withinthe valve are such that the vacuum at inlet port V is connected viavalve 200 to its outlet conduit 202. Energization of solenoid 1-4 shiftsthe valve member to connect pressure at inlet P to conduit 202. When theactuating solenoid 1-2 of cup shut off valve 204 is de-energized,conduit 202 is blocked at the inlet of valve 204, thus preventing thetransmission of vacuum or pressure from conduit 202 to cup manifoldconduit 206. When solenoid 1-2 is energized, the valve member of shutoff valve 204 is shifted to connect conduit 202 to conduit 206.

A branch conduit 208 is connected from conduit 202 to the head end ofthe block pin positioning motor 88.

The chute air control valve 210 is of a construction similar to that ofcup shut off valve 204 and has its inlet 212 connected to a branchconduit 214 leading to the pressure source. The outlet of valve 210 isconnected via conduit 216 to chutes 74. When the actuating solenoid 2-2of valve 210 is de-energized, as shown in the drawings, pressure inconduit 214 is blocked by valve 210, when solenoid 2--2 is energized,the valve shifts to connect conduits 214 and 216 to each other tothereby supply air to chutes 74 to blow the parts through the chutes.

The sucker rod control valve 218 functions as a shut off valve whichblocks branch conduit 220 and vents the sucker rod motor when itsactuating solenoid VS is de-energized. When solenoid VS is energizedpressure is supplied to the sucker rod motor. The inlet of valve 218 isconnected via a branch conduit 220 to the pressure source; its outlet isconnected via conduit 222 to the rod end of the spring loaded sucker rodmotor.

Referring now particularly to the timing diagram of FIG. 8 inconjunction with the pneumatic diagram and the electrical schematic ofFIG. 6, the timing diagram shows in graphical form the operation of thevarious valves during the part transfer cycle. The lowermost curve ofFIG. 8 indicates the condition of the mold, the time line or abscissa ofthe diagram of FIG. 8 starting at a point in time where the mold is justbeginning to open from its closed position. As indicated by the V-shaped portion of the curve immediately adjacent the ordinate, the moldmoves uniformly to its opened position and reverses directionimmediately upon reaching its fully open position to return to the moldclosed position. The mold remains closed for a substantial period oftime to accomodate the formation of the article being formed, and thenopens again to initiate the next cycle. As indicated,the mold proximityswitch contacts MPS (branch line B13 of FIG. 6) are set to open at apoint in time just prior to the mold reaching its fully opened position.Opening of contacts MPS resets all of the timer controlled contacts ofFIG. 6, thus opening contacts RTla (branch line B18) to de-energ ize cupshut off valve solenoid 1-2, thereby opening this valve. As indicated inthe diagram of FIG. 8, the cup shut off valve remains open until relayRTl times out.

The next action which takes place as the cycle proceeds occurs when themold is restored to its closed position, at which time solenoid VS isenergized, by the closure of contacts MC2a (branch line B8) to therebyshift sucker rod motor valve 218 to its open position, supplying airunder pressure to the rod end of sucker rod motor 96 to drive rods 102to their extended position. Because of the mechanical linkage betweenthe mold platens and the part receiving cups, the cups at this time havearrived in alignment with the inlet openings of chutes 74. The suckerrods are thus free to drive toward their extended part receivingposition. When the rods reach their fully extended position, limitswitch LSR (branch line B9) closes to energize retract relay RER whichopens contacts RERa in line B8, deenergizing solenoid VS to dump airfrom the sucker rod motor to permit the rod to retract. The period oftime consumed by the extending of the sucker rods is indicated by theblock EXT in the diagram of FIG. 8.

Arrival of the sucker rod at its fully extended position also closescontacts RERc (branch line B17) which with the now closed contacts MCc,closed because the mold is closed, energizes solenoid 1-4 to shift cuppressure/vacuum valve 200 from its vacuum position to supply pressure toconduit 202. Pressure is supplied to conduit 202 from this point in timeuntil the mold again opens, however, the supply of pressure to partholding cups 66 terminates when relay RTl times out to close shut offvalve 204.

The period during which chute air supply valve 210 remains open tosupply air to the chutes is determined by the time setting of relays RT2and RT3, relay RT2 determining the point in time at which the supply ofchute air is started and relay RT3 determining the time at which valve210 is de-energized to shut off the supply of air to the chute.

While one embodiment of the invention has been described, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiment maybe modified. Therefore, the foregoing description is to be consideredexemplary rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention isthat defined in the following claims.

We claim:

1. In an article forming machine having a frame, a pair of articleforming platens mounted on said frame for movement relative to eachother between a closed article forming position and an open articlerelease position, means for moving said platens between said positions,and article receiving means located adjacent said machine; articletransfer apparatus for transferring articles from said platens to saidreceiving means comprising a carriage coupled to one of said platens,chute means on said carriage having an article receiving opening throughwhich an article may be inserted into said chute and an articledischarge opening from which an article may be ejected from said chute,first article transfer means mounted on said carriage for movementrelative to said one of said platens, drive means coupled between saidfirst transfer means and the other of said platens for moving said firsttransfer means upon relative movement of said platens to locate saidfirst transfer means in an article receiving position adjacent said oneof said platens when said platens are open' and in an article dischargeposition adjacent said receiving opening when said platens are closed,pressure-vacuum means on said first transfer means selectively operableto grip or eject an article, second transfer means on said chute meansoperable to'transfer an article from said first transfer means into saidchute means through said receiving opening when said platens are closed,

and pneumatic means operable to blow an article through said chute meansand said discharge opening into said receiving means.

2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said second transfer meanscomprises rod means mounted for reciprocation through said chute meansand said receiving opening between a retracted position at the side ofsaid chute means remote from said receiving opening and an extendedposition wherein said rod means projects through said chute means andsaid receiving opening to a location adjacent the discharge position ofsaid first transfer means, first control means responsive to the closingof said platens for driving said rod means from said retracted positionto said extended position and then back to said retracted position, andvacuum means on said rod means operable to grip an article on said firsttransfer means while said platens are closed to carry the article fromsaid first transfer means into said chute means and to release thearticle in said chute means.

3. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein said vacuum means comprisesmeans defining a passage in said rod means opening toward the extendedposition of said rod means, a vacuum source, and first valve meansconnecting said passage to said vacuum source when said rod means isbetween said remote side of said chute means and its extended position.

4. The invention defined in claim 2 further comprising second controlmeans operable by said first control means for operating saidpressure-vacuum means to eject an article from said first transfer meansin response to the arrival of said rod means at its extended position.

5. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said pressure-vacuum meanscomprises a cup adapted to sealingly engage a surface of an article, apressure source, a vacuum source, a switching valve having a first inletconnected to said pressure source, or second inlet connected to saidvacuum source and an outlet, switching valve control means operable inan actuated condition to connect said first inlet to said outlet andoperable in a normally maintained unactuated condition to connect saidsecond inlet to said outlet, shut-off valve means operable when open toconnect said outlet to said cup and operable when closed to blockcommunication between said outlet and said cup, first means responsiveto the approach of said platens to their open position for opening saidshut off valve means, second means operable subsequent to the arrival ofsaid platens at their closed position for actuating said switch valvecontrol means, and time delay means for closing said shut off valvemeans after said platens have been closed for a predetermined period oftime.

6. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said pressure-vacuum meanscomprises a cup adapted to sealingly engage a surface of an article, apressure source, a vacuum source, a switching valve having a first inletconnected to said pressure source, or second inlet connected to saidvacuum source and an outlet, switching valve control means operable inan actuated condition to connect said first inlet to said outlet andoperable in a normally maintained unactuated condition to connect saidsecond inlet to said outlet, shut-off valve means operable when open toconnect said outlet to said cup and operable when closed to blockcommunication between said outlet and said cup, first means responsiveto the approach of said platens to their open position for opening saidshut off valve means, second means operable in response to the arrivalof said rod means at said extended position for actuating said switchvalve control means, and time delay means for closing said shut offvalve means after said platens have been closed for a predeterminedperiod of time.

7. For use in combination with an article forming machine cyclicallyoperable to form articles; article transfer means comprising a transferchute having an article receiving opening in one side thereof and asecond opening through its opposite side aligned with said receivingopening, a rod member mounted for reciprocatory movement through both ofsaid openings between a retracted position withdrawn clear of said chuteadjacent said opposite side and an extended position wherein said rodmember projects through both of said openings to a first location spacedoutwardly from said one side of said chute, cyclically operable transfermeans synchronized with the operation of said forming machine forextracting formed articles from said machine and carrying the articlesto said first location, drive means operable upon the arrival of anarticle at said first location for driving said rod member from saidretracted position to said extended position and returning said rodmeans to said retracted position, and vacuum operated means on said rodmember for gripping and supporting an article upon said rod means totransfer the article into said chute through said receiving openingduring retracting movement of said rod member.

8. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein said vacuum means comprisesmeans defining a closed chamber projecting outwardly from said oppositeside of said chute in surrounding coaxial relationship with said rodmember, sealing means at the opposite ends of said chamber slidablysealing said rod for reciprocating movement through said chamber, vacuumsupply means connected to said chamber, means defining a central passagethrough said rod member, and means defining a port in said rod member ata location disposed at the exterior of said chamber when said rod memberis in said retracted position and located within said chamber when saidrod member is between said opposite side of said chute and said extendedposition.

9. The invention defined in claim 8 further comprising pressure meansoperable in response to the arrival of said rod member in said extendedposition for blowing said article from said first transfer means towardsaid receiving opening.

VPYTHOW UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v CERTTFICATE OF CORRECTION PatentNo. 3,767,342 Dated October 73 lnve nt fl Terry C. Potter and Roqer R.Rhoads It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patentand that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 11, line 22 (Claim 5), "or" should be -a;

line 42 (Claim 6), "or" should be a.

Signed and sealed this 30th day of April 1197M.

(3EAL) Attest:

EDR'JARD LLFLETCHERJR. C. MARSPALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents

1. In an article forming machine having a frame, a pair of articleforming platens mounted on said frame for movement relative to eachother between a closed article forming position and an open articlerelease position, means for moving said platens between said positions,and article receiving means located adjacent said machine; articletransfer apparatus for transferring articles from said platens to saidreceiving means comprising a carriage coupled to one of said platens,chute means on said carriage having an article receiving opening throughwhich an article may be inserted into said chute and an articledischarge opening from which an article may be ejected from said chute,first article transfer means mounted on said carriage for movementrelative to said one of said platens, drive means coupled between saidfirst transfer means and the other of said platens for moving said firsttransfer means upon relative movement of said platens to locate saidfirst transfer means in an article receiving position adjacent said oneof said platens when said platens are open and in an article dischargeposition adjacent said receiving opening when said platens are closed,pressure-vacuum means on said first transfer means selectively operableto grip or eject an article, second transfer means on said chute meansoperable to transfer an article from said first transfer means into saidchute means through said receiving opening when said platens are closed,and pneumatic means operable to blow an article through said chute meansand said discharge opening into said receiving means.
 2. The inventiondefined in claim 1 wherein said second transfer means comprises rodmeans mounted for reciprocation through said chute means and saidreceiving opening between a retracted position at the side of said chutemeans remote from said receiving openiNg and an extended positionwherein said rod means projects through said chute means and saidreceiving opening to a location adjacent the discharge position of saidfirst transfer means, first control means responsive to the closing ofsaid platens for driving said rod means from said retracted position tosaid extended position and then back to said retracted position, andvacuum means on said rod means operable to grip an article on said firsttransfer means while said platens are closed to carry the article fromsaid first transfer means into said chute means and to release thearticle in said chute means.
 3. The invention defined in claim 2 whereinsaid vacuum means comprises means defining a passage in said rod meansopening toward the extended position of said rod means, a vacuum source,and first valve means connecting said passage to said vacuum source whensaid rod means is between said remote side of said chute means and itsextended position.
 4. The invention defined in claim 2 furthercomprising second control means operable by said first control means foroperating said pressure-vacuum means to eject an article from said firsttransfer means in response to the arrival of said rod means at itsextended position.
 5. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein saidpressure-vacuum means comprises a cup adapted to sealingly engage asurface of an article, a pressure source, a vacuum source, a switchingvalve having a first inlet connected to said pressure source, or secondinlet connected to said vacuum source and an outlet, switching valvecontrol means operable in an actuated condition to connect said firstinlet to said outlet and operable in a normally maintained unactuatedcondition to connect said second inlet to said outlet, shut-off valvemeans operable when open to connect said outlet to said cup and operablewhen closed to block communication between said outlet and said cup,first means responsive to the approach of said platens to their openposition for opening said shut off valve means, second means operablesubsequent to the arrival of said platens at their closed position foractuating said switch valve control means, and time delay means forclosing said shut off valve means after said platens have been closedfor a predetermined period of time.
 6. The invention defined in claim 1wherein said pressure-vacuum means comprises a cup adapted to sealinglyengage a surface of an article, a pressure source, a vacuum source, aswitching valve having a first inlet connected to said pressure source,or second inlet connected to said vacuum source and an outlet, switchingvalve control means operable in an actuated condition to connect saidfirst inlet to said outlet and operable in a normally maintainedunactuated condition to connect said second inlet to said outlet,shut-off valve means operable when open to connect said outlet to saidcup and operable when closed to block communication between said outletand said cup, first means responsive to the approach of said platens totheir open position for opening said shut off valve means, second meansoperable in response to the arrival of said rod means at said extendedposition for actuating said switch valve control means, and time delaymeans for closing said shut off valve means after said platens have beenclosed for a predetermined period of time.
 7. For use in combinationwith an article forming machine cyclically operable to form articles;article transfer means comprising a transfer chute having an articlereceiving opening in one side thereof and a second opening through itsopposite side aligned with said receiving opening, a rod member mountedfor reciprocatory movement through both of said openings between aretracted position withdrawn clear of said chute adjacent said oppositeside and an extended position wherein said rod member projects throughboth of said openings to a first location spaced outwardly from said oneside of said chute, cyclically operable transfer means synchroniZed withthe operation of said forming machine for extracting formed articlesfrom said machine and carrying the articles to said first location,drive means operable upon the arrival of an article at said firstlocation for driving said rod member from said retracted position tosaid extended position and returning said rod means to said retractedposition, and vacuum operated means on said rod member for gripping andsupporting an article upon said rod means to transfer the article intosaid chute through said receiving opening during retracting movement ofsaid rod member.
 8. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein said vacuummeans comprises means defining a closed chamber projecting outwardlyfrom said opposite side of said chute in surrounding coaxialrelationship with said rod member, sealing means at the opposite ends ofsaid chamber slidably sealing said rod for reciprocating movementthrough said chamber, vacuum supply means connected to said chamber,means defining a central passage through said rod member, and meansdefining a port in said rod member at a location disposed at theexterior of said chamber when said rod member is in said retractedposition and located within said chamber when said rod member is betweensaid opposite side of said chute and said extended position.
 9. Theinvention defined in claim 8 further comprising pressure means operablein response to the arrival of said rod member in said extended positionfor blowing said article from said first transfer means toward saidreceiving opening.